Mail News Service
\nImphal, July 23: The state Cabinet today discussed the reports of Cabinet sub committees about the conditions of paddy fields in the state. Four decisions were taken by the Cabinet.
\nIt was decided that all the RLI will be made functional by the Minor Irrigation department. Agriculture department will identify paddy field which has no source of irrigation through RLI or pump set. Such fields may be assisted through alternative cropping.
\n Agriculture department will coordinate with other departments to meet the eventualities. The situation will be reviewed by the Cabinet after a week.
\nThe Met department\u2019s forecast on June 22 predicted rainfall over the whole monsoon season to be normal at 96% of average with model error of plus or minus of 4%, but this is now reportedly likely to be around the lower end of the range.
\nThe central government has prepared extensive plans to deal with the deficiency in the monsoon rainfall in some parts of the country and is in full readiness to address any situation that may arise due to any rainfall anomalies, an official statement said here today. It said the Prime Minister has been apprised of the situation and he has directed all departments and ministries to coordinate efforts with
\nstate governments to meet any eventuality and monitor the situation on a weekly basis.
\nAccording to the India Meteorological Department, the cumulative rainfall for the period from June 1 to July 15 is 22 per cent less than the long period average (LPA).
\nThe statement said the rainfall deficiency which existed at the end of June has lessened somewhat, but the intensity and spread of rainfall over the next week or so needs to be watched carefully, especially in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan. \u201cThe progress of the Monsoon so far has not allayed earlier concerns,\u201d it said.
\nThe statement said the government has already chalked out contingency plans and these will be rolled out in the areas which continue to receive low rainfall. An inter-ministerial group under secretary, department of agriculture and cooperation is reviewing the situation on a weekly basis and holding video conference with the state governments, it said.
\nSufficient funds to the tune of Rs 4,524 crore are currently available under national disaster relief fund. Suitable advisories regarding fodder availability have been issued in the states by the department of animal husbandry, dairying and fisheries.
\nThese include preservation of crop residue that may be used as fodder in the nest season, the statement said, adding sufficient funds for this purpose are available with the state governments under various schemes. All options for increasing fodder availability under joint forest management programme will be explored by the ministry of environment and forests.
\nThe need for according the highest priority to drinking water was stressed. The Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation will henceforth be monitoring the status of the affected habitations on a weekly basis, rather than on a fortnightly basis as is presently being done. <\/p>\n\n